Lebanese detainee in Peru denies Hezbollah link

A Lebanese man who Peru alleges belongs to Hezbollah and was possibly plotting a bomb attack in Lima denied links to the group's military arm on Thursday and said police coerced a confession from him.

Judge Angel Mendivil ordered Muhumad Ghaleb Hamdar, 28, be detained for up to 18 months in prison while prosecutors carry out an investigation and prepare charges against him.

So-called preventive prison terms for suspects awaiting trial are common in Peru and aim to keep them from fleeing.

Prosecutor Wendy Calero said that Ghaleb Hamdar told police he had been gathering information for Hezbollah, and said that traces of nitroglycerin, an explosive liquid, and pictures of Lima's airport were found in his belongings.